Is your pet experiencing signs of lameness or pain? Injuries happen, and so can the development of osteoarthritis and other bone and joint disorders.
If your family friend is exhibiting signs of pain a veterinarian should evaluate your pet. Watch for signs such as limping, stiffness, difficulty with jumping or climbing stairs, excessive licking at a particular location(s), or a decrease in exercise ability.
Cats get arthritis too.
There are multiple products available to help with mobility issues:
Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans and green-lipped mussel products can help decrease inflammation and improve joint mobility.
Diets have been formulated to meet the balanced needs of your pet with the addition of joint supplements and increased omega fatty acids. These diets also help promote a healthy lean body weight, as obesity in our pets is one factor predisposing the development and worsening of arthritic and other inflammatory conditions. Ask us about Royal Canin’s Mobility Support, or Hills’ j/d diets.
Anti-inflammatory medications are often used and needed to help control acute cases and more severe chronic cases of injury and arthritis. Here at Scottsdale Veterinary Hospital, we are familiar with Deramaxx, Onsior and Metacam.
Other pain medications are sometimes required to help manage long-term chronic pain or to alleviate short-term flare-ups after a strenuous day running at the park, swimming at the beach or hiking one of the nearby mountains.
